Originally Posted by
nzkarit
Just reading
http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/news/...r-edition.html
They mention the Airbus Cabin-Flex for the A321neo (higher MTOW, more range, door rearrangement etc). Saying it will be available in Q4 2018 and will be the default A321neo format from 2020. So maybe the A321neo delayed for ACF so NZ doesn't end up with a mixed A321neo fleet?
This is more disruptive than the 789 sub fleets as the door arrangement is different and the capabilities. And just do a cabin refresh to get them into alignment.
The delay has primarily been down to issues with the selected engine (P&W GTF). As delivery slipped further and further back, it became apparent that the delivery timeframe was now very close to when the Cabin-Flex model would be available. Take another small hit on a delay and you now get a much better layout of the cabin, eliminating the (effectively) useless door 2.